Uploading zip files to Alteryx Server

[emischleich]

I've built an analytic app that takes uploaded zip files and unzips them next to the location of the zip file. This is supported by a File Browse which goes into an action tool and updates a text tool. I'm having issues in Server where I have a validation to check if the file path is empty, and when I try to run it in Server, the validation pops up each time. When I upload the file, I don't get a 'file unsupported' error, however I've added a message tool to show the exact file path and the file path is always blank. 

I understand that Alteryx Server does not natively support .zip file uploads, however I expect a large number of files to be uploaded each time and I don't want my flow to have a bunch of file selects as this would be really cumbersome for the end user. The files would be different each time and I also don't have the option to use a shared drive location. 

Does anyone know of a good workaround to be able to run this?

Thanks in advance.

[WirkKarl · Accepted solution]

Alteryx Server doesn’t natively handle .zip uploads via the File Browse in apps, so the file path often comes up blank. A common workaround is to have users upload the zip files to a network or cloud location first (like S3, Azure Blob, or a shared folder) and then have your app reference that folder instead of uploading directly. Another approach is to use a web form or API endpoint to accept the zip, save it to a temporary folder on the server, and then let your workflow process it. Direct uploads through File Browse on Server just aren’t supported for dynamic zip handling.

[emischleich]

Thank you. I was hoping to be able to avoid this but looks like this is the only route I can take.